Polarization agility in an RF radiator module for use in a phased array
US5304999A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1991 |
| Grant date | Apr 19, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q21/245
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A 90.degree. coupling circuit cascaded with a pair of hybrid mode latchable phase shifters provides polarization agility for an RF radiator module of the type typically used in a phased array. For example, such radiator modules typically may utilize an active microwave integrated circuit (MIC), a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) or a passive reciprocal hybrid mode element (RHYME) circuit. These circuits are arranged to provide duplex RF transmit/receive functions with controllable phase shifts at each radiator site in a phased array. By appropriately setting the two controllable phase shifters to different combinations of phase shifts (e.g., 0.degree. and/or 90.degree.) to a dual orthogonal mode radiator, different spatial polarizations for RF radiator transmit/receive functions can be defined. The radiator itself may include a square or circular waveguide including, in some cases, a reciprocal dielectric quarter-wave plate and a non-reciprocal ferrite quarter-wave plate. If a square waveguide is utilized, then 0.degree., 90.degree. hybrid mode latchable phase shifters may be arranged on either side of a common ground plane with direct waveguide coupling into a septum…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.